Indio to plant 500 shade trees across parks and private yards to fight extreme heat

Indio will receive 500 shade trees through a regional grant program aimed at cooling desert neighborhoods, city staff told the Sustainability Commission on Monday.

Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) received a $2.9 million grant through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the federal Inflation Reduction Act for the Shade Trees for Southern California’s Deserts initiative, staff said.

The initiative is being implemented across multiple cities, with thousands of trees to be planted regionally over three years.

Indio will receive a mix of native and drought-tolerant species, split evenly between public and private spaces.

“250 of the 500 will be put in private spaces and the other 250 will be put in public spaces,” staff said. “So these can be in public parks, along streets, and also at homes.”

The program’s goals include reducing extreme heat, improving air quality, lowering energy use and building climate resilience.

Trees are expected to be planted by the end of 2027.

IID and CVAG will handle outreach and intake for the private-property trees, while city departments will determine placement of the public trees, staff said. A commissioner asked who would decide which tree species go where and who would supply the trees.

Staff said the decision will be “a collaborative effort” involving multiple city departments, including parks and streets staff. The trees will arrive in 15-gallon containers, and the city will be responsible for their long-term care after planting.

“Most of these are desert trees,” staff said. “They’re very specific species that once they’re established should not need any more irrigation.”

The grant is targeted toward disadvantaged and underserved communities but will be available throughout the city.

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